Referee Qualification Programme

The Welsh Rugby Union is responsible for recruiting, developing and producing referees and match officials to officiate over games and matches at all levels within Welsh rugby and throughout the world. Welsh Rugby Union match officials participate in a number of Elite level Test matches and in all Elite level tournaments including the Rugby World Cup, Tri-Nations and RBS Six Nations. However, it is at the grass roots level of the game that referees are recruited, trained and learn the environment of being a rugby union match official.
Persons interested in beginning a career in refereeing can begin by taking and successfully completing the WRU Level 1 Referee Course.

Upon successfully completing the course, a person can referee junior rugby, U16 rugby and below and Schools rugby with a Level 1 Referee Licence. The WRU Level 2 Referee Course introduces Level 1 Referees to a higher level of refereeing with a more practical / technical approach to officiating matches guided by an advisor whilst attending matches amongst Welsh Districts Clubs. Successfully completing the the Level 2 Course grants referee a Level 2 Referee Licence and allows him / her to referee matches at Youth and Welsh Districts Level. A Level 3 Referee Licence is required to officiate in any WRU match and higher, so by invitation only, a WRU Level 3 Course is available at the Elite end of the refereeing spectrum.

Courses

All courses are available throughout Wales at variety of rugby club locations. The costs and duration of courses applies as follows:

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will create history in the opening round of the NatWest 6 Nations clash at Stade de France where France face Ireland, when he surpasses the previous record of 17 Six Nations matches held by Alain Rolland and Jonathan Kaplan, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discovers

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will create history in the opening round of the NatWest 6 Nations clash at Stade de France where France face Ireland, when he surpasses the previous record of 17 Six Nations matches held by Alain Rolland and Jonathan Kaplan, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discovers

Craig Evans and Adam Jones were the last men standing after Welsh Rugby Union elite match officials strength and conditioning coach Stephen Pledger put a selection of refs through their paces at the National Centre of Excellence recently.

Nigel Owens says 'enjoyment' of the game is what keeps him motivated as he approaches his 150th championship game in the Guinness PRO12 tomorrow at Principality Stadium when he oversees Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie, hears.

For the fifth year running, Wales referee Nigel Owens will be in charge of proceedings at Judgement Day V at Principality Stadium. It promises to be 'extra special' for the Wales' favourite ref, as he will be making his 150th appearance in the league.

Young referee Ben Breakspear is making rapid strides as a referee. In just over a year he has gone from officiating a college game to being a touchline official during last weekend's RBS 6 Nations clash between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium.

Welsh referee Craig Evans' career continues on an upward trajectory after being named as one of 10 match officials in the men's competition at the landmark Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 to be staged at the AT&T Park in San Francisco.

The Welsh Rugby Union has joined forces with England, Ireland and Scotland on the first Home Nations participation survey and invites players of all ages past and present, officials, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters to take part.